THE SIERRAS PULL US THERE AGAIN

This time it was the challenge of an 17k walk from Don Domingo on a 'camino' starting at 8pm with the intention of arriving at midnight. Most of us made it, but some like me, only just. We were in tents overnight but that was after unpacking the beer and whatever else anyone had brought with them. A bottle of Whiskey disappeared quickly to help the recovery. This is an excellent location to visit with an awe-inspiring ridge as the backdrop.
The quicker feet saw 'Jabali' dashing away with deer on the higher slopes. The more ardent drinkers saw a Nightjar fly through the camp into a pine tree. The next morning saw me hitching a lift in a support vehicle but Mel and Michelle made it with sore feet.
I never stop looking and we saw both Bonelli's (Perdicera) and Booted Eagle (Agulilla Calzada) on our way back with a Golden Oriole (Oropendola) glimpsed as it flew away.

We all had lunch, a few beers then back to Rosa Blanca to meet up with more friends who came to share the greatness of the Sierra de Segura with Yorkshire and Spanish hospitality as an added bonus.

The next morning saw some of the group go off road with Mel ascending into the Sierra for some, the first sight, of the majesty of the mountains. I stayed local with the simple view of seeing what was around us. I had Booted Eagles flying high then eventually just over our heads as they glided over the Popular trees. A Golden Oriole called but kept quiet with the predator overhead. At one stage there were over fifty Griffon Vultures (Buitre Leonardo) circling on the thermals.

The following morning we had a mid-day appointment the other side of the mountain where Wendy had ensured that we could see 'Quebrantahuesos' - the Bearded Vulture - also called Lammergeier - but in captivity at 'Centro de Cria del Quebrantahuesos´. Their aim is to breed and then release the wild juvenile birds to supplement the small numbers that still exist in various locations. They ensure that there is food for them so that they know where to come back to, to get fed. Also included in this program was the Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Comun) and so were able to see these species close up, albeit, in cages. You can check this out and support them on www.gypaetus.org it is always a good thing to know that there are people and organisations that are trying to remedy the faults of others.

It was a dash to get there on time but the journey back was more leisurely. We soon saw both Gamo and Ciervo (Fallow and Red Deer) in small groups. Jays flew often and again there was an Agulilla Calzada flying over showing the sharpness of the white and black underside of the wings. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos) flew and perched. A Blue Rock Thrush was seen. We had a very brief sighting of possibly a male Hobby (Alcotan Europeo)

There were many small birds flying in and out of bushes but sharp eyes were sometimes not good enough with their speed. However Rock Sparrows (Gorrion Chillon), Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris), Linnet (Pardillo Comun) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudon Comun) were easily identified but one warbler did excite us. After checking the books we were sure that it was an Olivaceous Warbler (Zarcero Palido), that is when it stayed in one place long enough to be examined. Buitre Leonardo were visible often but then a flying black cloud was spotted up on the ridge. There was about one hundred Chough (Chova Piguirroja).

This is not intended ever to be a complete list but to give clear indications what can be seen in Sierra de Segura and there is no better place to stay than at www.rosablancabnb.com at Los Teatinos.

Our last evening saw us looking at the night sky with Mel checking out the planets on his App. Michelle set the camera up on a thirty-minute exposure to capture it. Her two shots are now on Facebook. While we were sitting relaxing a Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo) called from a tree in the corner of the garden with another one calling further away. We even saw one fly over us - now that is a good garden bird to have. Is it not?

Even if you are only there for the scenery there is so much to see but the harder you look the more you will see. This was also a great time for butterflies and we are still checking the photographs. I love these mountains.

Friday 16th saw Michelle and I head north towards Santa Pola and El Pinet with the sole aim of watching Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común). We counted 37 of them on the island to the right of the first hide with several flying and feeding over vegetation. We had good view so that we could identify them with ease but a bit too far for a good camera shot. Common Terns were keeping them company.

SAN PEDRO AGAIN

This morning Wendy and Mel and I went to San Pedro to see what else we could discover making full use of an additional pair of eyes and another person for checking detail. The usual gulls were around with Turnstones(Vuelvepiedraf Comun) and Sanderling (Correlimos Tridactilo) at the seas edge. We then had two identifications to make for in the distance we agreed that it was Woodchat Shrike(Alcaudon Comun) but close by was a juvenile Stonechat(Tarabilla Comun). This bird was actively feeding and moving quickly around but we had some close sightings to show off the reddish chest feathers.

We moved inland and examined everything that we could see. There were half-dozen Black-necked Grebe(Zampullin Cuellinegro) close by with Greenshank(Archibebe Claro) Redshank, (Archibebe Comun) and (I believe Spotted Redshank - Archibebe Oscuro) wading in the margins. There were Dunlin (Corrilimos Comun) as well with some close-up-views of Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra) both feeding and flying with legs clearly visible and black tail. The ID. that we were pleased about was one Ruff (Combatiente) - orange legs etc. which we took some time over in deciding. Also a Little Tern (Charanchito Comun) sat on a bank which gave us a chance to view it closely. A Hoopoe (Abubilla) flew over and a Reed Warbler (Carricero Comun) flew around the dead vegetation.

We ended up with a male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Comun) concealing itself and then flying over our heads.

These latter sightings were in the salinas on either side of the road as you enter the port road. We recommend that you start your morning here but make it as early as possible.

EAGLE OWLS AGAIN

The past three evenings I have spent time at two Eagle Owl (Buho Real) sites with some very good sightings. There are two guys over from England who want to see this species for the first time. Sunday evening at Pedrera was unsuccessful and incredibly quiet except for Little Owl (Mochuelo Europea).

On Monday I chose a different place and eventually one perched on a tree at the top of the ridge. It was a considerable distance away but this a problem with this place although sightings can be very good. I met Pablo Parales of Amigos de Sierra Escalona.

The following evening saw myself and our two visitors at this latter site. It was quiet all around with not one raptor any where to be seen but we always see something. The light had faded a little but there on the ridge of a farm building was the bird these people wanted to see. As the light was not that good they walked nearer to it, scoped it and saw it fly. A great result for them and another one for me too - plus a bottle of wine.

EDWARDS AND SQUIRES GET UP EARLY

Yesterday morning Mel and I were at San Pedro de Salinas listening to the gulls proclaiming dawn. It was great to be out that early in the coolness hearing the day coming to life. We were soon seeing Yellow Legs flying with Common Terns as well but difficult to spot in that light. We walked to the beach where there were Black-headed Gulls and along the waterline a dozen Turnstones. They were also to be seen in flight and just inland on the salinas later. A couple of Greenfinch were feeding on the edge of the dunes.

We moved back to the car park to see a Kentish Plover, Sanderling with Mallard flying overhead. We walked up to the other hide where we could see Common Tern perched, flying and fishing. In the distance, perched was a solitary Turtle Dove - so pleasing to see and my first of the year. Flamingos, Black-winged Stilt with solitary Greenshank and Redshank were also there but this area was relatively quiet. There was no Spoonbill.

We adjourned for a quick coffee. We then travelled to the canal that was by now overgrown again but it did provide some good cover although making observation difficult. We moved to the corner of this salinas where Mel spotted Kingfisher flying (twice) which was not surprising as this is a regular spot for them. Then Reed Warbler flew. I had a quick glance of a female Little Bittern that disappeared as soon as it arrived. Confusingly a young female Moorhen just showed in the same place! A couple of Slender-bills bobbed on the edge of the reeds.

We moved across the road where we could see at least 10 immature Shelduck on a bank. In front of them there were two Little Grebe and a Greater-crested was to show later. All the time Flamingos, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet were feeding. We had a good view of two chicks of the latter.

We moved on up to the corner of the next salinas where a male Reed Bunting flew more than once. Then, for me a star of the morning, a male Yellow Wagtail perched close by - what a bird so bright and vibrant in colour. Then a male Little Bittern flew from almost under our feet and perched in full view in a small clump of reeds - just brilliant. Scanning the margins I spotted a Bar-tailed Godwit feeding which I did not expect to see but there were others around as well. In the distance we had our first Little Egrets of the day.

I sometimes take the Flamingos for granted as they are always there but you can have some great views when the mature adults fly in showing the black and bright orange/red on the leading wing edges. There were numerous youngsters as well. In this area we had good displays from Little Tern and then we were content to see and identify both Whiskered and Black Terns.

However there were some very noticeable absentees with some of the warblers not showing. We saw one fast flying Wood Pigeon, a couple of Barn Swallows and a solitary Common Swift. It was now hot but on the way back Mel saw a Pied-flycatcher perched on a fence.

I was very happy with all that we had seen but it does require an early visit. I am looking forward to another good morning here and a visit to Sierra de Segura and a visit to RosaBlancabnb once again.